Yellow weather warning for snow and ice issued as snowfall hits Shropshire

Light snow has been reported across the county including in Telford and Shrewsbury after temperatures plummeted, and is predicted for the rest of the day. The Met Office is also warning about ice.

Temperatures in Shropshire are set to remain at 0C or 1C throughout Wednesday (though wind chill means it will feel several degrees below freezing) according to the Met Office forecast for Shropshire.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued covering the West Midlands including the whole of Shropshire.

The Met Office says: "Spells of snow and icy patches may cause travel disruption during Wednesday into Thursday morning.

"[Expect] possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers.

"Bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times possible.

"Some rural communities could become temporarily cut off.

"Power cuts may occur and other services may be temporarily affected.

"Untreated pavements and cycle paths might be impassable with a chance of injuries from slips and falls on snow-covered or icy surfaces."

National Highways, which manages motorways and major A roads, issued a severe weather alert for the South East and South West between midday on Wednesday and 3am on Thursday, and for the West Midlands and East between 3pm on Wednesday and midnight.

The Government-owned company warned that driving conditions will be “extremely difficult, especially for larger vehicles and those not equipped with four-wheel drive”.

Drivers were warned to expect “possible travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers”, while “some rural communities could become temporarily cut off”.

Councils are also gritting local roads and pavements in a bid to ensure people can keep moving.

David Renard, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, said: “As temperatures plummet once again, councils are ready to work around the clock to grit roads and pavements to make sure that people are kept safe and local communities can get out and about.

“Councils have stockpiled 1.4 million tonnes of salt and are using new and innovative technologies where they can to ensure those areas that are most treacherous are kept clear and safe for use.”

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “While we saw an increase in breakdowns in a zone that stretched from London west along the M4 corridor and into Wales earlier this morning, based on our breakdown volumes it seems drivers in many snow-affected areas are choosing to work from home today and not get in their cars in the first place.”

A new Met Office yellow weather warning for heavier snow is to kick in from Thursday morning, covering Shropshire and lasting until Friday afternoon.

The Met Office says: "Heavy snow has the potential to cause significant disruption on Thursday and Friday.

"There is a small chance that long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air travel could occur.

"There is a slight chance that roads may become blocked by deep snow, with many stranded vehicles and passengers.

"There is a small chance that communities could be cut off for several days.

"There is a small chance that long interruptions to power supplies and other services, such as gas, water, telephone and mobile phone coverage, may occur."

See the Met Office's explanation of snow warnings in place:

The Met Office's forecast for the rest of the week predicts a band of rain, sleet and snow on Wednesday evening.